After 55 Living. A Blog For Your Life After 55.

After 55 Radio Episode 17 - Diagnosing and Treating Cataracts

After55.com — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 06:41:22 +0000

We spoke with Dr. Aaron Petersen of Southwestern Eye Center in Sun City, AZ about how to recognize, diagnose and successfully treat cataracts in older adults.

To listen now, click the play button below:

After 55 Radio Episode 16 - Volunteering for Hospice

After55.com — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:20:26 +0000

Learn about Hospice from Linda Vance, Director of Volunteer Services for Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona. She talks about how hospice cares for the family unit, how to use Medicare to pay for hospice care and how hospice care is not only for the last 48 hours of life.

Volunteers are a vital part of the day-today operations of hospice. Find out about how volunteering for hospice can be a life changing experience.

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After 55 Radio Episode 15 - The Role of a Certifed Fiduciary

After55.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:37:49 +0000

Who can you turn to when a mature adult can no longer look after their finances, medications or other personal affairs? We spoke with Candace Bow of Arizona Guardians about the role of a Certifed Fiduciary. She discusses guradianship, conservatorship and how to engage a certified fiduciary to protect seniors from exploitation and abuse. She also talks about the certfication process and why it is important to only engage the services of those who have been certified by the state to assist seniors.

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After 55 Radio Episode 14 - Fall Prevention and Home Safety for Seniors

After55.com — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:24:22 +0000

Falls and the complications following a fall are a leading cause of premature death in seniors. It is important to know which rooms and situations in your home pose the highest threat to senior safety. Inspecting your home for hazards is an important step in preventing falls from happening.

We spoke with Karen Martin of MedAssure located in Phoenix, Arizona about preventing falls, doing home safety checks and creating a safe environment for seniors at home.

To listen now, click the play button below:

After 55 Radio Episode 13 - Learning About the Area Agency on Aging

After55.com — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 03:06:23 +0000

If you or a loved one need information about services and programs that serve seniors, The Area Agency on Aging can help. The AAA has offices across the US to assist seniors and their families.

We spoke to Larraine Stewart, Chief Operating Office of the Area Agency on Aging, Region One headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. She outlines many of the over 60 programs that Region One offers, including the 24 hour Senior Help Line.

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After 55 Radio Episode 12 - Story Keepers and Preserving a Life’s Legacy

After55.com — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:46:24 +0000

How many of us have had our parents or loved ones pass away and wish that we could hear the sound of their voice again? Or maybe we wish we had captured some of their stories, favorite recipes or other memories to help preserve their legacy?

We spoke to Dennis Stack of America’s Life Stories about how to best preserve a loved one’s legacy. The story of how his company was started is a true labor of love that began with the 9/11 attacks in New York.

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After 55 Radio Episode 11 - Financial Planning for the Terminally Ill

After55.com — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:09:54 +0000

Although many boomers and seniors create meticulously detailed financial plans for retirement, the majority probably never consider how their plans would be suddenly altered if they or their spouse received a terminal diagnosis. There are a select few financial planners that focus on this challenging niche of financial planning and we were fortunate to have the opportunity to speak to two of them to discuss how a family should react should this situation arise.

Lynda Elley and David Daughtry of Copperwynd Financial in Scottsdale, Arizona are both experts in the field of financial planning for the terminally ill. Both possess the rare combination of skill and deep sensitivity needed to assist families dealing with terminal illness. We spoke to them about how a terminal diagnosis can alter a family’s financial planning strategies and got some tips on short term solutions to assist families facing large medical expenses.

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After 55 Radio Episode 10 - Coping with Hearing Loss

After55.com — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:29:39 +0000

Although almost 40% of adults over the age of 75 experience significant hearing loss, many do not elect to use hearing aids. Many seniors are not aware of the newest technologies that allow for better hearing, more comfort and more affordable options than ever.

We spoke to Wade Hendrickson of Hendrickson Mobile Hearing in Phoenix, Arizona and asked him to tell us how to recognize the early signs of hearing loss and to explain the new advances in digital hearing aid technology.

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After 55 Radio Episode 9 - Fighting Senior Identity Theft

After55.com — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 05:08:53 +0000

Identity theft is a crime that has increased dramitically in the last few years and to which seniors are particularly vulnerable. We spoke to two experts, Diane Stubbs of DLS Information Services and Tom Reade of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office to find out what seniors can do to protect their identities and how to react if your identity is stolen.

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After 55 Radio Episode 8 - Walking for Health and Fitness

After55.com — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 03:33:03 +0000

Starting a walking regimen is a great way to begin the new year! The benefits of walking as a fitness activity are numerous and it is a low-impact way to get back in shape.

Get some great tips on how to setup your walking regimen and hear about how walking can benefit your health.

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After 55 Radio Episode 7 - Silver Sneakers Fitness Program

After55.com — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:03:56 +0000

If you are aged 65 or older and a member of a qualifying health plan, then you are eligible for a free fitness center membership and participation in the Silver Sneakers Fitness Program. Silver Sneakers is the nation’s largest senior fitness program serving thousands across the fifty states and Puerto Rico. It provides a warm and friendly environment in which to participate in an excercise program designed specifically for mature adults.

We spoke to Andrea Wirth and Jody Steele of Axia Health Management, administrators of the Silver Sneakers Program to find out more about how to join, who is eligible and how to locate a participating fitness center near you.

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After 55 Radio Episode 6 - The ABCs of Senior Housing with ALFA

After55.com — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 05:34:39 +0000

The many options available for Senior Housing can be confusing, so we spoke to Karen Barno, President of the Arizona Chapter of ALFA (Assisted Living Federation of America) about the many choices available.

Karen talks in depth about the different types of housing, the different levels of care, cost structures and how to tour intelligently. If you are considering a move for yourself or a loved one, this episode a a must!

For more information about ALFA and how it can assist you with information about Senior Housing options, visit ALFA Arizona’s website at http://www.azalfa.org/

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After 55 Radio Episode 5 - Advance Directives and your Living Will

After55.com — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 07:12:35 +0000

When doing your estate planning, it is important not to overlook the creation of Advance Directives and a Living Will. While many people routinely include Durable Powers of Attorney for their financial decisions in the event of incapacity, many neglect to execute similar instruments for healthcare decisions.

We spoke with Barbara Volk-Craft of The Hospice of the Valley about the various documents involved in a properly executed set of Advance Directives, including Healthcare Power of Attorney, Living Will and Pre-Hospital Medical Care Directive (DNR).

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After 55 Radio Episode 4 - Seniors and Trusts 101

After55.com — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:36:35 +0000

If you have questions about the basics of creating a trust, we have the answers. In this week’s episode of After 55 Radio, elder law attorney Emily Kile and financial planner Lynda Elley discuss this important component of estate planning and when trust is (and isn’t) appropriate.

Find out about the different types of trusts, how a trust can save money for your heirs, what assets pass (and don’t pass) through a trust and how routine real estates transactions such as refinancing and purchasing out of state property can affect the funding of your trust.

Have that pad and pencil ready!

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After 55 Radio Episode 3 - Laughter is the Best Medicine…Really!

After55.com — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 02:00:05 +0000

That old saying “laughter is the best medicine” may be truer than we thought…

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After 55 Radio Episode 2 - Understanding Medicare

After55.com — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 21:20:55 +0000

Part A…Part B…Part D…Are you stuck trying to understand the alphabet soup that is Medicare? We spoke to our Resident Medicare Expert Karen Ratcliff of AZ Insurance Planners and asked her to explain some of the mystery surrounding the different parts of Medicare. In this interview, she explains the different coverages and focuses on the new Medicare Part D Prescription Benefit.

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After 55 Radio Episode 1 - Senior Driving Safety

After55.com — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:01:39 +0000

When is it time for a senior to assess their driving skills? How do you tell Mom it might be time to drive only during daylight hours? How important is driving to maintaining a senior’s independence? How do you objectively assess anyone’s driving skills?

We spoke to Maria Wojtczek of Driving MBA, a full service driver training faciltiy located in Scottsdale, AZ about how to answer these questions. Driving MBA has developed a unique senior driving assessment program that helps seniors and their families evaluate anyone’s driving skills. Driving MBA creates a virtual driver’s test that evaluates a persons skills during different hours of the day, different weather conditions and with different road hazards just to name a few of the road tests.

To listen, click the PLAY button below: